Scanner Radio-Transmission Receiver

Updated on November 13, 2011

When you use a scanner radio you are able to listen in on HAM radios, FBI radios, choppers radios and more.

The Scanner and Some Legal Issues

A scanner radio allows users to listen to tune in to any transmission from ambulances, fire fighters, coast guard, race car drivers, police, paramedics, choppers, the FBI, and just about any radio frequency that is allowed by the FCC.

Scanner radios are used to tune into transmission frequencies used by various agencies of the government. These devices are allowed by the FCC to purchase within the United States. You can buy and use scanner radios anywhere in the United States as long as you intend to use it at home. However, once you make it mobile, which means if you make it a part of your car’s system then you’ll be subject to regulations. Some states allow the use of mobile scanners while others prohibit their use. Another regulation you should be aware of, scanner radios are not allowed to listen in on frequencies put out by any cellular service, either digital or analog. The law also states that you cannot modify your scanner or program it to here cellular frequencies. Some radio scanners already have these frequencies blocked prior to purchase.

Scanner Transmissions

A scanner radio also lets you hear transmissions from boats, TV, news, electric companies and security officers that employ 2-way radios. You’ll also be able to hear racing pit crews, FM / AM radio, shortwave and many others.

To get a better idea of how this works, knowing the difference between frequencies, channels and bands is important. Suppose the commercial aircraft frequency is 154.740 Mhz. You can “save” this frequency to the channel when you use a scanner radio. This is similar to the presets on your FM radio.

The band refers to a range of frequencies (for example, VHF-Hi band from 136 to 174 Mhz). The more frequencies on a scanner, the more you’ll be able to monitor.

The bands and channels in commercially available scanners vary. These scanners generally come in three types: the base, mobile or hand held. The base is for home use, mobile for vehicles and hand held for carrying around.

The number of scanner frequency numbers you can program will depend on the capabilities of your device. If you want to store several frequencies, you should look for models that have this capability

Frequency Knowledge

Ambulance and Medical

Their frequencies are from 150.00 MHz to 174.00 MHz. The medical facility will also transmit from 470.000 MHz to 512.000 MHz if they have a chopper pad. For ground pager work, VHF bands are used. The frequencies used by medical teams work using a base medical facility.

Ham Radio Operators

Amateur radio operators can be found in the scanner frequency numbers from 144.000 MHz to 148.000 MHz and also 50.000 MHz to 54.000 MHz. To be a ham radio operator in the US, you will need to get a license from the FCC.

Aircraft

The frequencies are at 108.00 MHz to 136.00 MHz. These are used by pilots to make contact with the airport tower and the air traffic controller. Every airport in the US has their own frequency.

Police

The range is from 154.650 MHz to 156.000 MHz. In the US, each of the emergency agencies have their own frequencies. These frequencies cannot be used by civilians, but can easily be listened in on.

Marine

Marine and maritime frequencies are 156.050 MHz to 161.925 MHz. Within this range, boats, ships and other sea going vessels communicate. These frequencies are also used for contacting the Coast Guard.

CB

Also called the citizens’ band, these can be found around 26.965 MHz to 27.400 MHz. As the name suggests, these are used by private citizens. These are particularly popular among truck drivers.

Fire Department

These are in the UHF bands, either 866.000 to 869.000 MHz or 470.000 MHz to 512.000 MHz. These ranges were chosen so any potential conflicts with other emergency services will be avoided.

Scanner Codes

There are several kinds of scanner radio codes or police scanner codes. These are many different codes that law enforcement agencies use, they vary depending on state, county, and level of law enforcement. These scanner codes are used bylaw enforcement authorities to broadcast instructions, incidents or crimes.

Police Scanner Codes

These include 187 for homicide and 207 for kidnapping. For kidnapping attempts the code is 207A and for robbery it is 211. 211A and 211S are used for robbery alarm and silent robbery alarm respectively. For assault with intent to kill, the code is 217. Code 240 is for assault, 242 for battery and 245 for assault with a deadly weapon.

For shooting at an inhabited dwelling, the code is 246 and for rape it is 261. The codes for attempted rape, child neglect and wife beating are 261A, 273A and 273D. The code for lewd conduct is 288 and for indecent exposure it is 311. The burglar alarm code is 459A; for forgery it is 470. For hit and run it is 480 (felony) and 481 (misdemeanor).

Police Ten Codes

Police use the ten code system, this system represent common phrases in voice communication, particularly by law enforcement. This is done to reduce the use of speech over the radio frequencies.

10-0 caution, 10-3 stop transmitting, 10-4 message received, 10-6 change channel, 10-7 out of service, 10-9 repeat message and 10-10 off duty. Code 10-11 is to make the frequency known. 10-13 weather and road advice, 10-15 for prisoner in custody, 10-17 is a request for gasoline, 10-23 stand by, 10-26 clear, 10-29V for vehicle wanted, and 10-32 drowning. 10-45C is for critical and 10-45D is for dead.

Scanner 11 Codes

These include the following: 11-99 for officer needs help, 11-96 checking suspicious vehicle, 11-85 tow truck required, 11-82 for accident – no injuries, 11-80 accident – major injuries, 11-81 accident – minor injuries and 11-78 aircraft accident. 11-60 is for attack in hazardous area and 11-55 for officers being followed by auto.

11-51 is for escort, 11-42 is for no ambulance needed and 11-25 for traffic hazard. 11-24 is for an abandoned vehicle.